Air masses bring rains

THE Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) brought cloudy skies with light to moderate rains in most parts of Mindanao.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather forecaster Fernando Cada said the ITCZ is now affecting southern Mindanao.

He said the ITCZ, which is the thick clouds coming from south Asia, is considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones.

Cada said the ITCZ will continue to induce cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over regions of Northern Mindanao, Armm, Davao, Soccskargen, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
It has been raining in the city, most in the afternoon and evening, in Cagayan de Oro this week.

Cada noted the rest of the country, including Metro Manila, would have fair weather but isolated thunderstorms are possible mostly in the afternoon or evening. The convective activity brought about by intense heat triggers the formation of more cumulonimbus clouds or dark clouds associated with thunderstorms that brings rains.

He said the presence of ITCZ signals the onset of the rainy season. However, Cada said the ITCZ cannot move upward due to the presence of a ridge of high pressure area. He said this year’s rainy season is expected to commence by second or third week of June.

He added the wind pattern prevailing in country would be light to moderate winds blowing from the east to southeast and the coastal waters throughout the archipelago would be slight to moderate. He said the agency expects the southwesterly wind flow to set in, which is associated with the wet or southwest monsoon season.

Cada noted that the onset of the rainy season is characterized by southwesterly winds. He said Pagasa has yet to declare the onset of rainy season as there are “conditions” that have to be met.

Aside from the presence of the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat,” he said another criteria before Pagasa can declare the beginning of the wet season includes the amount of rainfall, which must register a total of 25 millimeters or more, for five consecutive days in five major weather stations.

Cada said the criteria is with the presence of southwest winds and the amount of rainfall in at least five weather bureau stations across the country was reached 25 millimeters in volume in five straight days.

Last year, Pagasa officially declared the start of the wet season on June 10.
But even with the rainy season, the country would still continue to feel the effects of the “weak” El Niño, according to Pagasa forecasters in earlier interviews.-with reports from pna